Will Scott Strickland win the Florida Marlins’ final bullpen spot?

Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he’ll announce the final roster spots before the team leaves Jupiter. The Marlins play their last game at Roger Dean Stadium on Thursday before playing two exhibition games against the minor league affiliates in Jacksonville and Greensboro.

Assuming Mike Lamb wins one of the final two bench spots, the Marlins will have two candidates to serve as emergency catchers. The versatile Lamb has caught before, and first baseman Gaby Sanchez has caught in the minors.
Brian Barden is expected to win a bench spot, too. Three reserve locks are Wes Helms, Ronny Paulino and Emilio Bonifacio.

The big question is who will get the final bullpen spot. Gonzalez said he believes that pitcher is in camp now, meaning it’s less likely that the Marlins would find that reliever through a trade or pickup in the coming days.

That final spot will come down to righthanders Seth McClung (11.05 ERA, 5 walks in 7 1/3 innings), Scott Strickland (1.29 ERA , 3 walks in 7 innings) or Tim Wood (1.08 ERA, 3 walks in 8 1/3 innings). Rick VandenHurk’s an option, too, if the Marlins prefer to have another long guy, which they have with Burke Badenhop.

Rotation appears set
The Marlins rotation is basically laid out, although the fifth starter won’t be announced until Monday or Tuesday. It should go Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolaco, Anibal Sanchez, Chris Volstad and Clay Hensley.

Johnson was getting ready to throw off the mound this morning, which means he’ll start Wednesday, which puts him in line to start the season opener April 5.

Nolasco, who’s starting today, will start Friday in Jacksonville against the Class AA Suns. That sets him up to start the second game of the season on April 7 (after an April 6 off-day). Sanchez would get the series finale in New York.

Volstad, the Palm Beach Gardens native, is in line to start the home opener April 9 against the Dodgers. Hensley would go in the Saturday game (April 10), with JJ in that series finale.